Ofcom has opened an investigation into whether Meta failed to properly assess the risks of Instagram’s disappearing-photo Instants feature before launching it in the UK.
Ofcom is investigating whether Meta breached the UK’s online safety laws by failing to properly assess the risks of its new Instagram Instants feature before launching it.
Instants was introduced in May as a way for users to take and share photos with close friends, with images disappearing after they have been viewed.
Meta described the feature as “a new way to share photos in the moment”.
The UK’s communications regulator said its investigation would examine whether Meta failed to carry out “a suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessment and children’s risk assessment” before launching Instants.
Under the Online Safety Act (OSA), platforms such as Instagram must assess the risks posed by changes to their services and take steps to prevent users from encountering illegal or harmful content.
The requirements include protections against material involving pornography, self-harm and suicide, as well as abusive, hateful and bullying content.
Platforms must also assess the risks faced by children who are allowed to use their services.
Ofcom’s enforcement director George Lusty said significant changes to online platforms must be assessed before they are introduced.
He said: “You wouldn’t launch a new car without testing it properly, and it’s the same for online services.”
Meta said it had carried out a risk analysis and discussed the feature with Ofcom before its launch.
A spokesperson said: “We take our regulatory obligations under the Online Safety Act seriously. We will of course co-operate with Ofcom during this investigation.”
Instants allows users to send images to selected close friends, as well as people who follow them and are followed back. Meta has introduced additional safeguards for younger users with Teen Accounts, including restrictions on screenshots, reshares and forwarding.
Ofcom nevertheless said disappearing images and messages can present particular risks for children and teenagers.
Adding that the regulator would take action where it believed providers were failing to comply, Lusty said: “Safety by design must be built in, not bolted on.”
The investigation comes as Meta, TikTok and X challenge aspects of Ofcom’s enforcement of the OSA through judicial review.
The companies have been in court arguing that they should not have to provide as much information in response to the regulator’s requests.
Meta is also separately challenging Ofcom’s ability to impose fines based on its global annual revenue and arguing that some of its messaging and image-sharing services should not face additional requirements under the legislation.
Ofcom investigates Meta’s new Instagram Instants feature
